Advertisement
Published: December 23rd 2009
Edit Blog Post
Looking out
The pool in the foreground. Ocean (obviously) in the background. Travelblog...risen from the dead!
Even though it's Christmas (and not Easter), it's never too early for a good resurrection.
I hope that this entry finds all of you very well wherever you may be. I know that all of you have been waiting with baited breath for another travelblog update. Some of you have even called me and asked, "Hey, I am busy raising twins and a toddler, but in my one single free-minute of each day I check your blog hoping to see some sign of life. What gives!?"
For those of you who do that (which there are none, let's be honest --- the stat-tracker on this thing says so), I thank you.
For those of you who don't check this Web site reguarly, I applaude you. You have a life.
So, consider this my Christmas Card --- you know, the kind that shows the family at some exotic destination in August when the mother says, "Alright kids, I know it's four months away, but this is the only time you haven't been a pain all year. It's Christmas card time! Smile!"
There are two main differences with my situation: 1) I don't
Rainbow Bright
Someone else can get that pot of gold. No thanks. have a nuclear family of my own and 2) You may want a Christmas card from a family, but not from one guy --- what a waste of envelopes and stamps!
However, there are two main similarities with my situation: 1) I've been in this awkward Christmas card photo scenario as a teenager (only it was at the Chicago Botanic Gardens --- awesome!) and 2) I actually did go to an exotic locale this past August.
My friend Tony and I went to Roatan, Honduras for a week. Tony (an ex-teacher and colleague turned nurse) was with a group of his graduate school classmates providing basic medical care and education in some of Honduras' most rural and impoverished communities. I decided to meet the group on the island of Roatan after their program was completed.
Now, I would have loved to have been on the beginning of the journey with the group, but I was unable to do so for a couple of reasons: 1) Corporate America limits vacation days and 2) I've found that most of Corporate America frowns upon philanthropy that is not in the form of a check that you can write during your
Poolside
Our pool at the foot of the house lunch break.
So, I joined the squad on the island. This group (all Cincinnatians) further fueled my obsession with the Queen City and its inhabitants. Great people and great times had by all!
I would encourage everyone to visit Roatan for the following reasons (in no particular order):
1) It has the second largest coral reef in the world outside of Australia. You can snokle the entire day right off the beach (for $5)
2) It's a two-hour flight from Houston, Texas
3) Monkey La-La --- Google it, get the ingredients and make it. It's a calorie-catastrophe, but it's good
4) West End --- Any time there is a dive bar called "The Dive Bar" because it's deplapidated AND it caters to scuba divers, you're in for a treat. Special mention goes to The Crooked Palm.
5) Unstable government --- When we arrived, Honduras was in the middle of a military coup. Their president had been taken from his home in his pajamas, loaded onto a plane, and shipped to Costa Rica (something I am sure my parents would have wanted to do with me on a number of occasions). Needless to say,
a government in turmoil makes for an interesting vacation.
In short, Roatan is a great place to unwind. It's a little on the underdeveloped side, but there's enough to make it a worthwhile trip --- especially if you're a scuba diver.
Beaches are white (and empty), water is calm (and clear), Roatan-ians are friendly (and speak English!). All pluses in my book.
The pictures tell a better story than I ever could (including the one of the long-haired guy at the bar who tried to convince us that he is a British fighter pilot who flies Russian jets in Siberia at Mach-7 and goes so fast that he passes out. Look at Alex's reaction. Priceless.)
I've seen many of you since August; others I have not seen in some time. I hope that wherever you may be, you are living life to its fullest and finding some time during the holidays to enjoy being around friends and family.
I will pray that Santa is good to all of you (if you deserve it 😊 ) and that 2010 is a healthy, prosperous and memorable time in your life.
Go 'Cats!,
Ben
Advertisement
Tot: 0.085s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 8; qc: 51; dbt: 0.0493s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Barb
non-member comment
The Crooked Palm
Hi there! Did you meet the owner of the crooked palm? A gray haired guy named Dave with a rum and coke in his hand at all times?